What is a "directing collective"?

The Colony is a group of like-minded directors with different skills who realize that they can do better work when they put their heads together and share resources. We are not a directing team and we each have our personal areas of specialization, but it's what we do collectively that makes all the difference.

What we bring to our projects is a methodology that involves careful research, brainstorming and collaboration, beginning with the pitch and continuing throughout the entire production process. We share the resources of our research team, in-house producers, designers, programmers and our own visual effects studio, Afterparty. We are represented by B Reel Films, giving us access to B Reel's integrated production platform and outstanding interactive talent.

Line Production

The Colony, Sydney opened a production services facility in 2011. Visiting companies experience the highest quality production facility together with dedicated attention and care in accommodation, travel, restaurants and the best crew and resources that Australia has to offer.

To date, our production services facility has produced projects for QATAR Airlines for Lunar Films in Singapore and VIRGIN Airlines for Capital Film, New Zealand. Our international line producer has come to The Colony with over 20 years of experience in looking after some of the best production companies from around the world.

Television and Feature Films

The Colony Media has been established to produce television programing and feature films using our directors, production resources and post production facilities. We are currently in production on "Today's Special - New York Indian" for The Food Network. We have several projects in development and have recently competed a pilot for "Interview with a Billionaire" To contact us about project ideas, please email development@the-colony.com.

David Gaddie

Director / Founder

David is a well-known global commercials director with a prolific body of work typified by authentic performances, sharp comedic timing and big picture visuals combined with a mastery of visual effects.

David was a finalist at Cannes at 22 and selected in the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors’ Showcase at 23. Since then, he has directed hundreds of commercials for major international brands and won substantial awards at nearly every major show, including Cannes (Gold and Silver) and The One Show, among others.

As a founder and director working at the heart of The Colony, David brings his visual expertise, directorial acumen and professionalism to the collective. As The Colony has expanded into new avenues of content creation in recent times, David’s commitment to quality and innovation has increased with each project.

Maria Ines Manchego

Director / Cinematographer

As a director, Maria Ines Manchego sometimes doubles as a cinematographer. Inspired by projects that combine graphic design, still photography and filmic storytelling she was recently honored with a nomination for an AFTA award for best cinematography in a feature film for her work on 'Love Story.”

Maria is an accomplished stills photographer and visual artist – see her work here mariainesmanchego.com

Nam Doan

Director / Animator

Nam started his film career as a 2D Animator for Disney Toon Studios. Since then he has worked as a lead animator and art director at some of the best studios in the world including Curious Pictures, 1st Ave Machine and Thomas Love. Now Nam is combining his joyous animation sensibilities and storytelling skills with directing as a member of The Colony.

Jenya James

Head of Production

Jenya James is The Colony New York's head of production. Prior to joining The Colony Jenya worked as an advertising agency planner before switching to production and working her way up through production as a freelance production co-ordinator, associate producer, and then producer at several major production companies including Radical.Media, Smuggler, and HSI. Jenya is also the executive producer for The Colony's VFX studio, Afterparty.

Susan Walker

Executive Producer

Susan has produced television commercials and films all over the world and has enjoyed a long and successful career, working with international and local companies. As a freelance producer, Susan has worked with some of the best production companies in the world including RSA, Partizan and @radicalmedia.com. As a result of travelling the world with some of the best directors and some of the biggest productions, Susan has accumulated extensive knowledge across all production processes through to VFX.

Susan started her career in advertising before moving into production. Her own company, Starwatchers, produced numerous international facility jobs in Australia and she has now brought the wealth of her experience to the task of heading up The Colony in Australia.

Susan has also been instrumental in the development of a drama and content arm at The Colony, which is currently producing a cooking show for a cable network in the United States, among other projects, as well as having two feature films in development.

Susan was born at Warwick Farm Racecourse, where her father was the manager, and grew up with a passion for racing and horses. She still manages to fit this childhood passion into her life despite the hectic demands of production.